#USJobsData
US Jobs Data Update: December 2025
The U.S. labor market is flashing significant warning signs as 2025 draws to a close. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) report released in mid-December, the unemployment rate rose to 4.6%, the highest level since late 2021. This "frigid" turn follows a year of progressive cooling and a turbulent autumn.
Key Data Points:
Payrolls: The economy added a meager 64,000 jobs in November, barely offsetting the massive loss of 105,000 jobs in October.
Sector Performance: Growth was concentrated in Health Care (+46,000) and Construction (+28,000), while the Federal Government shed workers following a wave of deferred resignations.
Underemployment: The number of people working part-time for economic reasons surged by 909,000 since September, signaling a shift toward involuntary part-time work.
While wage growth remains steady at 3.5% annually, the sharp rise in teenage unemployment (16.3%) and a softening white-collar market suggest the "jobs recession" debate will dominate the 2026 outlook.